Author: KENNETH VARGAS

I adore New York City, especially during the winter season. There are so many exciting activities and places to explore. One of my favorite spots is The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which happens to be one of the largest Christmas trees in the entire United States. It’s located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, right in New York City. The tree is carefully placed in mid-November and is lit up during a spectacular public ceremony on the Wednesday evening after Thanksgiving. Since 1997, this magnificent event has been broadcast live on NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center telecast, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. The lighting ceremony takes place at the end of the broadcast, following live entertainment, and is attended by the Mayor of New York, the CEO and President of Tishman Speyer, and other special guests. It’s truly a magical experience that attracts approximately 125 million visitors each year. To me, the return of the tree signifies the start of my favorite time of the year. I make it a tradition to visit the tree annually, mainly to go ice skating with my loved ones. As the city embraces the winter chill and everyone bundles up in their coats, there’s an undeniable sense of joy and hope in the air. The entire city is adorned with vibrant ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere. Every time I visit, I witness countless families capturing beautiful moments and people having a wonderful time. However, what truly fascinates me is the process of selecting the tree. Did you know that you can nominate your very own Norway spruce, as long as it stands at least 75 feet tall and 45 feet wide? It’s incredible! The same person has been responsible for choosing the tree for the past 30 years. According to Rockefeller Center Magazine, the head gardener Eric Pauze precisely surveys, plants, and transports each tree. It’s truly a labor of love.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex issue that has yet to be resolved. It is important to give an overview of the situation and show the ongoing difficulties and complexities. This conflict has seen occasional outbreaks of violence, resulting in casualties and destruction for both Israelis and Palestinians. These cases often involve issues such as control of Jerusalem in the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza, and the right of return for refugees. Jerusalem is important to many religions and remains a center of tension. The US decision in 2017 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and then move its embassy was controversial. The Palestinians consider East Jerusalem the capital of their state, so they see these actions as harmful to the peace process. Recently Armed Hamas militants, many on motorcycles, storm blockaded areas of the Gaza Strip, shooting at Jewish settlers and slaughtering people at kibbutzim and small towns. This led to many Hamas rocket attacks against Israel, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and the joint bombing of Gaza by Egypt and Israel. The international community considers attacks that do not distinguish between civilian and military targets, but are directed against civilians and civilian structures, to be against international law. The Israeli army, which is bombarding Palestinian territory with airstrikes, announced on Tuesday that more than 1,500; bodies of Hamas activists have been found in Israel and the Gaza Strip. 900 people were killed in Israel and more than 700 in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 2,000 people were displaced in Israel and 15,000 in the Gaza Strip. This is occuring in Jerusalem, where both Israelis and Palestinians live together.

An observation I have noticed while reading the table of context would be the organization of different texts and how these use different components of English literature to be unique. For example, it starts with writing at Baruch leading to breaking down and analyzing text then researching and the process needed to create an essay.

My name is Kenneth Vargas, but most people refer to me as Ken or Kenny. My family is from Ecuador, but I grew up in the Bronx with my five siblings. There are many things about me that I could talk about but those are a few main points I would like to mention to start . Another one of the many things I love to do in my free time is go on long drives while playing my favorite playlist. I’ve found joy in this ever since I bought my first car, it’s just non stop exploring locations with friends. My true purpose behind this is the mental clarity I receive when I’m on the road. Another hobby I take part in is working out because it as well brings me mental peace and challenges me to fight through an uncomfortable state of my body. Something I always keep in mind is a quote “a strong body is a strong mind” so I do my part and try to stay consistent. The hardest part for me will always be the food because I enjoy going out and trying new things. I am currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Baruch College, studying in Business. I chose this career direction mostly for the opportunity to deal with people from all backgrounds, interests, and even needs. When I was researching colleges, I chose this institution because of the major and courses provided, which were not common. In relation to educational opportunities, I began stock trading while learning fundamentals and technical analysis. To me this is seen as a skill I can learn in order to make more income.